Today, the German government is much more open to discussing Ukraine’s membership in NATO, said the German Bundestag member

During the NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008, both Germany and France resolved not to provide the Membership Action Plan to Ukraine, as the Alliance feared this could provoke Russia. Today, the situation is completely different, and the German government is ready to hold discussions on this issue.

Nils Schmid, a Member of the German Bundestag, SPD Parliamentary Group’s spokesperson for foreign affairs expressed this opinion at the 15^th annual Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” Foundation.

“I am still not certain whether the final decision will be taken in Vilnius, and at the same time I think that the German government today is much more open to discussing various security guarantees and, in fact, Ukraine’s membership in NATO. And the Chancellor clearly stated that Germany is ready to sign security guarantees for Ukraine together with other countries. The next step could be NATO membership,” Mr Schmidt said.

The Bundestag member noted that there is no clear consensus now within the Alliance regarding the Ukrainian issue.

According to him, this will take time. Still, at the summit in Vilnius this July, Ukraine can expect additional security guarantees.

“I have to say one thing clearly: there is still no consensus among the member countries of the Alliance, and we need to work with our friends and colleagues from NATO to formulate a united standpoint in Vilnius that would assist Ukraine in its military efforts in the war with Russia. At the same time, we can expect further military support, which we have seen over the past few months. We know what Ukraine needs to duly defend its territories against Russia,” Nils Schmid said.

Noteworthy, the 15^th annual Kyiv security forum “For Our and Your Freedom/ Fighting for NATO” will be held on May 25-26, 2023, with the participation of well-known international figures. In particular, at the Forum, the KSF Security Council will be formed and a policy document will be adopted with recommendations for the NATO summit in Vilnius to be held this July.